Student teaching is intended to be the
capstone experience of your undergraduate career. During your
12-week student teaching experience, carried out during the spring
semester of your senior year, you become a full-time mathematics
teacher, with most of the professional responsibilities of that
position.
This page provides information about student
teaching as part of the Mathematics Education sequence of the
major.
Who?
Students may qualify for student teaching
by:
- successfully completing C&I 216
(Secondary Education), MAT 211 (Euclidean and Non-Euclidean
Geometry), MAT 236 (Elementary Abstract Algebra), and MAT 323
(Mathematics Methods for the Secondary School),
- engaging in 100 clock hours of approved
pre-student teaching experiences,
- earning a 2.2 GPA in the mathematics major
and a 2.5 GPA overall, and
- obtaining departmental
approval.
What?
Student teaching is a 12-to-13 week unpaid
teaching internship. Student teachers are paired with experienced
high school teachers. Student teachers gradually take on more and
more teaching responsibilities until they reach a full teaching
load. The student teacher generally sustains the full load of
courses for 3 to 5 weeks. Throughout this experience student
teachers are supported and observed by their University
Supervisors. These supervisors are Department of Mathematics
faculty or associates of the department who include retired high
school mathematics department chairs.
The Department of Mathematics at Illinois State
University uses a performance-based assessment of the student
teaching experience. The assessment model consists of a list of
student teacher attributes accompanied by performance descriptors
for each attribute in classifications of exceeds expectations,
meets expectations, and does not meet expectations. These
attributes are in alignment with standards and principles of the
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the Interstate New
Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium, and the Illinois State
Board of Education. The attributes represent performance,
knowledge, and dispositions that are highly valued in our
department and by the profession.
Student teachers assess their own performance
and are assessed by their cooperating teachers and university
supervisors. All parties use the performance attributes as an
assessment standard. We have standardized grading criteria based
on the performance attributes. According to these criteria, a good
teacher who meets expectations for most attributes earns a "B" in
student teaching. This appropriately reflects the high standards
for student teachers we have as a department and that are sought
after by the profession.
When?
In the Department of Mathematics, student
teaching occurs in the spring semester of the senior
year.
Where?
Students work with the Department's Coordinator
of Student Teaching to arrange student teaching placements in
Central Illinois or in the Chicago area. Placements are in urban,
suburban, or rural areas in small or large schools. Although most
student teachers are placed in high schools, middle school
placements may also be arranged.
How?
Students apply for student teaching in the fall
semester of their junior year. The Clinical Experiences Office
works in collaboration with the Department's Coordinator of
Student Teaching, the student-teacher candidate, and the school
site in order to secure the placement.
